Wooden sole shoe



Aug. 12, 1941. A. sTERzlK WOODEN SOLE SHOE Filed sept. 14, 1939 Patented Aug. 12, 1941 UNETED S'rii'i PATENT OFFICE WDEN SLE SHE delf Sterzk, St. Louis, Mo.

Application September 14, 1939, Serial No. 294,835

(Cl. Mii-13) l Claim.

This invention relates to shoes having rigid soles of wood or its equivalent.

All object of this invention is to provide a complete bottom for a shoe of wood or the like, so formed as to be comfortable to the wearer, neat in appearance, and durable in service.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for attaching an upper to a wooden sole.

Other and particular objects will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing a shoe embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is approximately a vertical longitudinal section;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3--3, Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4, Fig. 1; and

Figs. 5 to 10 are progressive sectional details showing the method of securing the upper t the sole.

The continuous bottom or sole I comprises integrally aiforepart 2, a heel 3 and a shank 4, forming an arch and giving somewhat the appearance of a conventional sole.

The forepart has a fla-t portion 5, extended from the arch across the ball of the foot to a line approximately that indicated by the section line 3-3. Forwardly of this line the forepart curves progressively upwardly yto the toe. Disregarding, for the present, the pads or treads, the portion will be on the same plane with the bottom of the heel.

The upper portion of the sole or bot-tom I is concave, having a surface which is substantially complementary to a last for the shoe.

The construction of the sole, as described, provides a shoe which is comfortable to the wearer, furnishing a proper contact for the bottom of the foot, provides a firm stance and provides a proper curvature or rock in walking. The fact that the bottom surface 5, at the ball of the foot, is flat and on the, same plane as the heel gives the wearer a rm stance. The forepart beyond the ball of the foot curves gradually towards the toe so that in walking the shoe rocks comfortably.

A tread 6 of softer material may be provided for the forepart and a pad 'I for the heel. The pads or treads 6 and I may be of rubber or leather or the like.

An upper 8 is secured to the bottom I by means wh'ich will be described presently. As specifically shown in the drawing, this upper comprises a plurality of straps but it may be understood that any style of upper may be employed.

The upper edge of the bottom I is chamfered to form a bevel 9, and a groove Il) of U shape is formed to extend inwardly through the bevel surface 9 into the bottom I. This forms a neat appearing edge II around the upper 8 and about the edge of the sole, while the peninsular portion i2 gives the upper a curvature in close simulation to that found in the conventional shoe.

The sole may be brought in juxtaposition with a last and the upper 8 stretched over the last with its marginal portion brought to the groove lt, as shown in Fig. 6. Then a blunt tool T may be used to press the marginal portion into the groove I0 to the position as shown in Fig. 7. When this has been done a staple I3 may be driven through the margin of the upper 8 into the bottom I at the bottom of the groove I0 as' shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

After the fastener I3 has been put in place, the edge of the marginal portion of the upper 8 may be trimmed, as shown at I4 Figs. 9 and 10, 'and the remaining cavi-ty in the groove I0 lled with a plastic l5 as best shown in Fig. 10. This plastic may be a material known as plastic wood formed of wood fiber and a binder.

rThe sole or bottom I has been principally described as wood but it may be understood that it may also be constructed of other materials having the nature of wood, that is to say, a material which is rigid and light and which will have the strength to perform the functions of wood. It may, for instance, be of any of the well known plastics many of which can be moulded to form and will receive the fasteners I3 substantially as shown. It will also be understood that other types of fasteners can be used, or that the marginal edge of the upper can be cemented in the groove I0.

Various changes, some of which have been indicated, may be made in the details of construction, within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from the spirit of this invention, parts of the invention may be used without the whole and undoubtedly improvements patentable or otherwise may be added while retaining the benefits of the invention.

I claim:

In a shoe, a rigid sole of the nature of wood, having a bevelled upper edge, and a groove extending downwardly from the bevelled portion and inclined inwardly, the bevelled4 portion extending both inwardly and outwardly on each side respectively of the groove, an upper of flexible material having its margin positioned in the groove, yand means for securing sa'id marginal portion in the groove.

ADOLF STERZIK. 

